Childhood Immunization

Howard County Health Department offers immunizations through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program to eligible children through 18 years of age who meet the following criteria: 

• No Health Insurance 
• Medical Assistance
• Health Insurance that doesn’t cover vaccines 

Private health insurance is not accepted at this time. Children with private health insurance should schedule immunization appointments with their primary care provider. If you are unable to get an appointment with your healthcare provider in a timely manner, please call the Health Department to learn about opportunities for limited childhood vaccines at seasonal walk-up immunization events held in the spring and late summer or alternative locations in Howard County that provide immunizations to children with private insurance coverage.

Call 410-313-7500 for more information and to make an appointment.

You MUST bring the child's immunization record. A parent or guardian must accompany the children to the clinic appointment. 

Child Immunization Information

• DTaP/Tdap protects against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus (lockjaw).
• IPV protects against polio (can cause paralysis of the arms and legs).
• MMR protects against measles, mumps and rubella.
• HEPATITIS B and HEPATITIS A protects against Hepatitis B or Hepatitis A which can cause liver damage.
• VARIVAX protects against chickenpox.
• HIB protects against Haemphilus Influenza B which causes brain infections and brain damage.
• PREVNAR(PCV13) protects against respiratory and ear infections, as well as pneumonia.
• ROTAVIRUS protects your baby from severe diarrhea.
• MCV4/MenACWY and MenB protect against meningitis (infection of the central nervous system).
• RSV protects against respiratory syncytial virus, which is a respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in infants. 

CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that pre-teens get several vaccines at their 11 or 12 year old check-up.

• Tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
• Meningococcal (meningitis) conjugate vaccine (MCV4)
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardisil 9  (Available to boys and girls)
• Menigococcal B

These vaccines prevent serious, sometimes life-threatening diseases. Immunity from some childhood vaccines can decrease over time, so people need to get another dose of the vaccine during their pre-teen years. Also, as children move into adolescence, they are at greater risk of catching certain diseases, like meningitis and HPV. If your child did not get these vaccines at age 11 or 12, schedule an appointment to get them now.

• CDC Adult Immunization schedule (includes information on recommended vaccinations for college-bound adults and recommended adult boosters.
• CDC “14 Diseases You Almost Forgot About (Thanks to Vaccines)”
• CDC “Making the Vaccine Decision: Addressing Common Concerns”
• CDC Vaccines for Your Children

School Immunization Requirements

• Maryland Department of Health Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule
• Vaccine Requirements for Children Enrolled in Preschool Programs and in Schools